{"title":"Rehumanizing the Dehumanized: Tracking the Emergence of Artificial Intimacy","authors":"Kevin Foose, John A. Dewell","doi":"10.1002/johc.70053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.70053","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in the midst of generating arguably one of the most powerful disruptions in human history. Humanistic counselors and educators need to develop an operational analysis of AI's impact on the experience of being human to maintain their relevance. Key to this analysis is accepting a largely unacknowledged reality that emerging technologies have dangerously breached the boundary of emotional domains and infiltrated interpersonal dynamics. Relationally engaging with a largely unregulated AI has grave implications for the human subject, concerns that the originators of AI were well aware of. Engaging with the artificial intimacy provided by AI involves deception, projecting humanity into a nonhuman entity, and the simulation of reality. Ultimately, this may lead to a withered objectified experience of emotional intimacy and may even lead humans to lose the capacity to return to meaningful emotional reciprocity.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Humanistic Counseling","volume":"65 3","pages":"200-210"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149177018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Humanism in the Age of Hyperreality: A Speculative Critique of AI Therapybots and the Neoliberal Commodification of Human Beings","authors":"Brett. D. Wilkinson, Andrew M. Brown","doi":"10.1002/johc.70048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.70048","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This article examines the future place of humanistic counseling, assuming the successful mass deployment of artificial intelligence therapy chatbots (AITCs). We systematically identify the limitations of AITCs through the lens of Jean Baudrillard's view on simulacra and hyperreality and identify five collective psychosocial consequences of immersion in the hyperreal. Next, we articulate the positionality of a medical model perspective on AITCs in accord with neoliberal corporate priorities and provide a humanistic, relational-embodied critique. Then, we identify six guiding humanistic priorities that might counter the deleterious psychosocial consequences of hyperreality. Finally, we suggest humanists should come together to build a coherent, collective professional identity that (a) critiques the sociopolitical, neoliberal orthodoxies that support mass AITC deployment, and (b) articulates a shared vision of human-guided counseling priorities such as the value of second-order change, I–Thou relations, embodied awareness, and ecological self.</p>","PeriodicalId":45214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Humanistic Counseling","volume":"65 3","pages":"126-138"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/johc.70048","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149177497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brett Gleason, Ryan F. Reese, Heather Dahl-Jacinto, Taylor Milner
{"title":"Bridging Nature and Counselor Education: Utilization and Barriers to EcoWellness","authors":"Brett Gleason, Ryan F. Reese, Heather Dahl-Jacinto, Taylor Milner","doi":"10.1002/johc.70046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.70046","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Guided by an ecological–humanistic and existential–humanistic perspective, we explored EcoWellness as a form of nature-based self-care in counselor education by examining its associations with demographic characteristics, patterns of nature use, and self-reported barriers among 193 students and faculty from CACREP-accredited counseling programs. Using the EcoWellness Inventory (EI-15), the findings revealed positive correlations between nature access, caring for nature, and social connectedness. Qualitative analysis highlights diverse ways individuals engage with nature for self-care, as well as barriers—such as time constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic—that limit access. The findings underscore the importance of integrating EcoWellness into counselor education curricula to foster self-care. Addressing systemic barriers and promoting accessible, meaningful nature-based activities within training programs holds promise for enhancing the holistic wellness of both students and faculty, reinforcing the human–nature connection as a vital component of counselor development.</p>","PeriodicalId":45214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Humanistic Counseling","volume":"65 2","pages":"84-94"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/johc.70046","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148373573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Relational Counseling Factors, Self-Compassion, Minority Stress, and Posttraumatic Growth Among TGD Clients","authors":"Aazi Ahmadi, Elizabeth A. Prosek","doi":"10.1002/johc.70045","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.70045","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study examined associations among counselor factors, self-compassion, proximal minority stress, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) clients engaged in mental health counseling. A theory-informed, conceptually organized associational model examined self-compassion and proximal stressors as intervening constructs that may explain associations between counselor factors and PTG. Participants included 226 TGD individuals recruited via crowdsourcing and community outreach. Structural equation modeling evaluated measurement models, latent construct associations, and overall model fit, with bias-corrected bootstrapping used to examine indirect associations. Counselor factors were significantly associated with PTG. Self-compassion was indirectly associated with PTG through proximal stressors but did not explain the association between counselor factors and PTG when examined independently. In contrast, proximal minority stress processes partially explained the association between counselor factors and PTG. Findings underscore the relevance of counselor relational factors, self-compassion, and proximal minority stress as interrelated constructs associated with growth-oriented outcomes among TGD clients.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Humanistic Counseling","volume":"65 2","pages":"66-83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148373184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Role of Intellectual Virtues in the Practice of Humanistic Mental Health Counseling","authors":"Mark S. Gerig","doi":"10.1002/johc.70038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The function of intellectual virtues as a foundation for the development of excellence in the humanistic practice of clinical mental health counseling is explored. First, the unique characteristics of intellectual virtues are described. Second, 10 specific intellectual virtues are identified and briefly defined. It is proposed that these function in combination for the acquisition of counseling-related knowledge and skills. Their specific application to basic processes for humanistic counseling is examined: genuineness and congruence; unconditional positive regard; and empathic understanding. Finally, the relevance of intellectual virtues for counseling processes and practice is explored.</p>","PeriodicalId":45214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Humanistic Counseling","volume":"65 2","pages":"104-112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/johc.70038","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148373381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Pedagogy of Belonging: Strategies and Practices for Building Beloved Community in Counselor Education","authors":"Ellise Nolan, Madeline Clark","doi":"10.1002/johc.70044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.70044","url":null,"abstract":"<p>With an increased need for counselors across the country, there is a corresponding need to recruit and retain quality graduate students in counseling programs. Using bell hooks’ framework of <i>beloved community</i>, this conceptual article explores how to develop a sense of belonging in counselor education among students of diverse identities inside the classroom as well as in other aspects of program culture. Practical application strategies for classroom policies and procedures, advising, orientation, and broaching expectations and identities are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":45214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Humanistic Counseling","volume":"65 2","pages":"95-103"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/johc.70044","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148373339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Embodied Chairwork: A Humanistic Approach to Finding the “Living Body” in Counseling Supervision","authors":"H. Ray Wooten, Monique N. Rodríguez","doi":"10.1002/johc.70042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.70042","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Humanistic supervision is rooted in a commitment to the whole person, yet the supervisee's living body has largely been absent from mainstream supervision practices. This article introduces the Embodied Chairwork Process (ECP), a four-phase method designed for humanistic supervisors from various theoretical backgrounds who want to incorporate embodied self-awareness into clinical supervision. Drawing on humanistic phenomenology and the expanding scholarship on somatic practice in counselor education, the ECP modifies the structural elements of chairwork, using physical positions and spatial movement within a humanistic framework that does not require Gestalt training. A case example demonstrates how the model works in practice. Ethical considerations and implications for culturally responsive supervision are also discussed. The ECP contributes to a growing, interdisciplinary literature on embodied supervision and offers an accessible technique for any humanistic supervisor dedicated to phenomenology and embodied experience as key aspects of professional growth.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Humanistic Counseling","volume":"65 2","pages":"113-124"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148373403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integrating Rationale as a Therapeutic Technique in Counseling Practice","authors":"Latifey Baker LaFleur","doi":"10.1002/johc.70036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.70036","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Rationale, the transparent sharing of a counselor's therapeutic intentions, offers a powerful yet underutilized tool for strengthening client engagement, trust, and autonomy in counseling. In alignment with humanistic counseling, the use of rationale supports the ethical commitment to informed consent and collaborative practice. This paper explores the definition, theoretical foundation, and clinical relevance of rationale as a technique within counseling. Drawing from diverse professional contexts, the author illustrates how rationale has long been used to promote clarity and cooperation, yet remains insufficiently defined in mental health literature. Practical examples are provided across populations, including parents, children, and adolescents, highlighting how rationale can help reduce resistance, foster internal motivation, and strengthen the therapeutic alliance. Implications for counselor training are discussed, emphasizing how rationale can support the development of intentionality and conceptualization skills among counselors-in-training. By integrating rationale, counselors can model transparency, empower clients, and facilitate deeper therapeutic engagement.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":45214,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Humanistic Counseling","volume":"65 1","pages":"21-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147686271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}